Home, Finally

Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash

Disciples History Moment for June 1, 2025

After the family spent 300 days in Glasgow (with Alexander at the University during that time) on August 3, 1809 the Campbell family (all 8 of them) set sail on the ship Latonia for America from Greenock, Scotland. Fifty-seven days later they would arrive in America. But like before, the voyage did not go well!

Alexander was seasick for the first three days. Then, the Latonia sprang a leak in its hull, and all the crew and male passengers, Alexander included, manned the pumps. Then the ship encountered a fierce storm, and they were not sure they would survive it. But they weathered it. The leak that had concerned them earlier was not as bad as had at first appeared, and the men found they could pump hard for 4 hours and keep ahead of the leak. 

Then . . . another storm and the fore topmast was broken off and carried away by the wind. The wind subsided, and then another storm hit a few days later. A terrific squall, more powerful than any on board had experienced, descended on them, and all thought it was the end. The sails were torn apart, and the fore topmast was again broken, as was another mast. The main mast sail was, fortunately, taken down, or it would have been shredded. The quarter railing was broken off by the waves, and the tiller (rudder) rope was lost. Until it was replaced the ship was unmanageable. The waves were reported to be “mountain high.” Yet the hull remained intact, and, amazingly, they survived.

After the last dreadful storm, Alexander renewed his commitment to serve God and consecrated his life to the ministry of the Gospel. Having weathered mighty storms, the balance of the voyage was more peaceful, and the family saw whales, porpoises, dolphins, and flying fish.

On Sept 29, 1809, they cast anchor in New York harbor, their voyage finally complete. Now all that was left was to travel to Washington, PA to join their father, Thomas Campbell. 

Rev. Kevin K. Adams

Reference: The Memoirs of Alexander Campbell by Robert Richardson